Mastering the Midwest: A Welcoming Look into Purdue Krannert

Pursuing my MBA was the best decision I ever made. Initially, I was apprehensive about coming to the Midwest because of the winters and the concern that I would be living in farmland. While there are farms in Indiana, West Lafayette is quite different. There is far more to do in this area than I initially anticipated. Plus, if you need to get away, there are four large cities within three hours of West Lafayette (Indianapolis, Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati).

Many people ask me why I chose Purdue. My answer is that I wanted to find a reputable university with access to a large number of resources, while also keeping my overall cost at a minimum. I added Purdue to my shortlist of schools after analyzing prior placement statistics vs. average cost of attendance, and it was my first choice of MBA programs for that reason.

The study-life balance is what you make of it. As Master’s students, we are offered an abundance of freedom, and each person’s schedule is dependent on how many organizations or extracurricular activities he or she is involved in.

It is all really a matter of choice. Some people choose to be more active in their studies. Others choose to be more active in student organizations. It really boils down to what you want out of your time at Krannert and what is best for your career.

Krannert is a welcoming place for networking opportunities as well. The alumni network and prestige that Purdue University holds definitely adds to its merit. Networking is a skill that cannot be taught formally. It takes practice, and some people are naturally better at it than others. From very early on, the Krannert Professional Development Center helped me refine my skills in networking and prepare for career fairs, interviews and more. Networking is a skill that takes practice, but it is also a skill that is vital to master. Networking and soft skills are the link between book-smarts and obtaining that dream job. Without the help and the countless networking events I have participated in the past year, I would be nowhere near where I am today.